Penn State’s #GivingTuesday campaign opens 6:55 p.m. Monday, Nov. 26 — or 18:55 in military time, representing the year Penn State was founded — and continues through midnight Tuesday, Nov. 27.

In celebration of this national day of giving, gifts of $5 or more made by Graduates Of the Last Decade — our GOLDen alumni — to one of these campaigns will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100.

Since its founding in 2009, the Young People’s Chorus of Erie has had more than 1,200 students participate in its choruses and camps. #GivingTuesday donations will enable YPC to offer tuition assistance to the families who need it most. Tuition ranges from $300 to $500 annually and covers only 10 percent of YPC’s expenses for music instruction, music scores, uniforms and supplies. Roughly two-thirds of all YPC students require financial assistance each year, and every family who receives financial assistance gives back to YPC through volunteer hours.

Approximately 400 students participate in the Behrend Honors Program; another 50 are enrolled in the University-wide Schreyer Honors College. Students in these programs have opportunities to enhance their academic experiences through honors course work, study abroad, and special research opportunities. Honors Education at Penn State Behrend plans to use #GivingTuesday donations to strengthen the honors experience outside of the classroom, engaging honors students through social and educational programming, service learning and special events.

Penn State Behrend recognizes that successful communities and organizations start with young people who are motivated, educated and excited to learn. Behrend's Youth Education Outreach=Success in STEAM programs give area youth opportunities to participate in unique learning experiences. Every year, Youth Education Outreach provides programming to more than 25,000 young people; #GivingTuesday gifts help to make these programs possible.

Visit Penn State’s #GivingTuesday page on Nov. 26 and 27 for live updates on fundraising progress across the University. Announcements and livestreaming will be available on the @RaisePennState Facebook, Instagram and Twitter platforms.

Gifts from Penn State's alumni and friends have been essential to the success of the University's historic land-grant mission to serve the public good. To fulfill that mission for a new era of rapid change and global connections, the University has begun "A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence," a fast-paced campaign focused on the three key imperatives of a public university. Private support will keep the doors to higher education open and enable students to graduate on time and on track to success; create transformative experiences on Penn State campuses and around the globe that tap the full potential of Penn Staters to make a difference; and impact the world through discovery, innovation and entrepreneurship. To learn more, visit greaterpennstate.psu.edu.